Sinking Health Bill Packed With Hidden Costs

The Democrats are in a race against time to get a health care bill passed before the public realizes the scale of the hidden burdens involved, writes Michael Gerson. The money to provide comprehensive coverage to everyone has to come from somewhere, and young people, seniors and union workers who received "Cadillac" health plans instead of pay hikes will be footing much of the bill, Gerson writes in the Washington Post.

Many people are already realizing that the "health-care free lunch is to be provided at their expense," Gerson writes, noting that support for reform has dropped a full 20% in some polls. Another reason for the falling support is likely to be the "impression that all these deceptive burdens, risky moves, budget tricks, tax increases and new bureaucracies" are being thrown together for political reasons rather than for the good of Americans' health, Gerson concludes.
(More Michael Gerson stories.)